PRESIDENT BUSH: We've just had a very interesting and comprehensive
discussion about our bilateral relations, which are strong. But Singapore
is -- is a country that has an interesting position in the Far East. The
Prime Minister brings a perspective about the U.S. role, about the future
of the region that I have found fascinating. The Prime Minister is a
strategic thinker. He obviously worries about the lives of the citizens in
his country, daily lives in what's taking place, but he's also got the
capacity to see beyond the horizon.

And I want to thank you for sharing your insights. I appreciate so very
much your -- your advice. And I look forward to working with you. We're
going to sign a very important document here, cementing our good
relationship.

And, finally, the Prime Minister and I share a clear vision about the world
in which we live when it comes to terror -- these terrorists that kill on a
moment's notice. They don't care who you are. They want to shake our
will. They want to -- they want to drive America from the world. They
want the free world to retreat. They've got ideological ambitions, and
it's going to require a steadfast response. And the Prime Minister
understands that.

And I appreciate your strength of character and your clear vision about the
dangers we face. Welcome. Glad you're here.

PRIME MINISTER LEE: Thank you, Mr. President. I'm very happy to be here
to meet the President in the Oval Office. Singapore and America share many
common interests and many similar perspectives on the world around us,
particularly in Asia. And I've been happy to have a wide exchange of views
with the President on how East Asia is developing; what's happening in
Asia; how China and India are opening up and becoming influential in the
region and exerting a positive influence on many of the countries; and how
America can be part of Asia and engage, participating, and continuing to
stabilize and to maintain the security in the region, as it has done for
many years.

One aspect of security, of course, is anti-terror. And I told the
President how much we appreciated America's strong, consistent stand on
this, that not withstanding any -- whatever the terrorists may throw at
America, that it will stay firm and there's absolute confidence that it
will not waver, whether in Iraq or anywhere else in the world.

It's critical to watch because, for us, anti-terror is also a hot agenda
item. So it's one of the areas of mutual interest which has lead our two
countries to embark upon a strategic framework agreement which will set out
the basis for us to broaden and deepen the cooperation which we already
have had over these many years. And I'm very happy that today we'll have
the chance to sign that agreement.

PRESIDENT BUSH: Thank you, sir.

We'll answer a question a piece. Deb.

Q Mr. President, you had a meeting this morning with four leading
senators. How much more input do you need before you'll be able to make a
decision on this? And, you know, how close are you?

PRESIDENT BUSH: Closer today than I was yesterday. (Laughter.) I did
have a good breakfast with four United States senators, the leaders of the
Senate plus the heads of the Judiciary Committee. I asked their advice on
a couple of matters. One, I asked their advice on the timing of a nominee.
In other words, how fast could they get to the -- to the hearings
necessary for a nominee's name to move forward. Obviously, we're in a very
interesting period here; you got the end of the session coming up, then you
got an August break. So I was just trying to get a sense of their view of
the calendar. And I want to thank them for being forthright.

Obviously, they get to decide. They're the legislative branch; they get to
determine how fast to move a nominee's name, or not. My only question to
them is, what will it take to be able to get a person confirmed by early
October.

Secondly, we talked in general about a potential nominee. They've got
strong opinions, and I wanted to hear them. And they have shared some
opinions with me. And, of course, they're sharing -- many senators are
sharing their opinions with others on my staff. We're actively seeking
recommendations.

I am going to be deliberate in the process because I want the American
people to know that, when I finally make a decision, it's going to be one
based upon a lot of research and a lot of thought about the character of
the person, the integrity of the person, the ability of the person to do
the job, and the philosophy of the person. And as you know, I campaigned
twice for President of the United States, and I said, if I have a chance to
name somebody to the Supreme Court, or courts in general, I'll pick people
who will use the bench -- will interpret the Constitution while on the
bench, but not use the bench to legislate. We've got a legislative body
called the U.S. House of Representatives and the Senate. They do the
legislation. And the courts will then interpret the Constitution as to
whether or not the laws are constitutional or not.

And so that's where we are in the process. It's a --

Q Have you heard from your wife about her desire for you to name a
woman?

PRESIDENT BUSH: My wife? Listen, I talked to her yesterday. She's in
Africa on a mission of goodwill. She's talking about women's education and
HIV/AIDS. Listen, I get her advice all the time. I didn't realize she'd
put this advice in the press. That's -- (laughter.) She did? Well, good.
I'm definitely considering -- we're definitely considering people from all
walks of life, and I can't wait to hear her advice in person when she gets
back. (Laughter.)

Q Can we ask some questions on Singapore? What's the significance of
the agreement that's going to be signed from Singapore's perspective and
from the United States' perspective?

PRIME MINISTER LEE: Well, from our perspective, it builds on a very sound
relationship and broadens and deepens it further. It enables us to focus
more on anti-terrorism, on anti-WMD proliferation, as well as on other
aspects of our relationship -- defense technology cooperation, military
cooperation between our armed forces, and strategic and security exchanges.

PRESIDENT BUSH: From our perspective, it is a -- it is a statement about
how important our relations with Singapore are. We've made a statement
before on economic relations when we signed a free trade agreement. And
that was an important agreement. It's important for our economy; it's
important for the economy of Singapore. This agreement takes our
relationship beyond just economics. It's a strategic relationship. It is
one that will have long-term consequences for both our peoples. But I
happen to believe that it will have long-term consequences for peace in the
region. And that's very important.

This is a relationship based upon mutual trust, shared values, but it's
also a relationship that recognizes that we have an active role to play,
both countries have an active role to play, in laying the foundations for
peace in the region of the world that -- in the Far East. And it's an
important region.

One of the points that the Prime Minister has made to me, and he keeps
reminding me that our involvement in the Far East is very important. And
we will stay involved in a constructive way. And this agreement is a
constructive agreement. It's a constructive way to stay involved.